Term 3 for Performing Arts students is busy, busy, busy. We saw term 2 out with the combined bands of Ballarat High School, Horsham High and Phoenix to rehearse and record compositions of Nick Sherriefs, a Horsham based teacher and composer.

To kick off term 3 we have played jazz gigs, Vet shows, staged an excellent season of ‘Frozen JR’, hosted a Vet festival and there is more to come. Musicians from Years 8 to 12, along with music teachers, performed the ‘Jeff Herkes Memorial’ with the Ballarat Jazz Club on Sunday 31st July. Utilising a life rhythm section of Ballarat High teachers, Damien Woods, Alistair Lethlean and friend of BHS bassist Ian Reithoff, students presented music to a keen and receptive full house at the Ballarat Golf Club. A key aspect of jazz performance is improvisation - playing without music, making it up as you go! Scary stuff and our kids did a great job.

‘Frozen JR’ played a sell-out season. Students from all years performed, worked backstage and as crew running all aspects of the theatre. ‘Frozen JR’ was well received and excellently performed. Late in the term we will have our Year 12 Theatre and Drama students present their performance exam pieces to an invited audience. This is great practice ahead of their exams in early October.

Junior Stage Band represented Ballarat High School performing at the Phoenix Music Festival last week. JSB is made up of students in Years 8 and 9.

Coming up we have woodwind night, a performance opportunity for students of flute, clarinet and alto saxophones. The brass - trumpets, trombones and tenor saxophones, will host their night in the final week of term.

There are many events and performances within the Robinson Centre all the time. Students perform to other classes in informal sessions during lessons, band and practical classes and we have the big events such as ‘Movie night’ on August 26th and the ‘Cabaret’ season, September 8th -10th, which attract large crowds. Next week, August 23rd, Bob (senior stage band) will perform with bands from Phoenix and Woodmans Hill to fundraise for Rotary.

The return to live performance and the many opportunities to partake at Ballarat High School is welcome. Term 3 is busy, and that is just the way we like it over here in the Robinson Centre!

Damien Woods

Head of Faculty - Performing Arts

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